Theo's Wreck dive site is located west of Silver Point and east of Xanadu Beach, about 1.5 miles from the coast. The wreck is about 230 feet long and rests on the ocean floor on its port side, between the deep reef and the drop-off at a depth of about 101 feet. The bow points landward and the stern seaward, she rests on a flat, sandy floor, among a few isolated coral banks. Two permanent buoys, one at the bow and one at the stern, mark the ship's position. The waters around the wreck are subject to currents that vary according to the tides; use the buoys for safe resurfacing.

Since she was sunk in 1982, the ship has become home to numerous fish and is now covered with rich vegetation. The bow anchor chain in particular has splendid gorgonian sea fans. The shaded part of the hull is completely smothered in orange false gorgonians.

Built in Norway in 1954, the M/S Logna was used to carry cargo between Norway and Spain. The Bahama Cement Company acquired it in 1969 to take sand from Fort Pierce, Florida, to Eleuthera and New Providence (Nassau). A million dollars was allocated for restructuring the ship so that it could be registered with Lloyd's in 1981. However, the investment could not be amortized and the ship was decommissioned at the Bahama Cement Company dock. When the management decided to scuttle the ship in deep international waters, engineer Theopolis Galanopoulos, an underwater sports enthusiast, suggested sinking it in shallower water as an attraction for scuba divers. The ship was towed to the designated spot, and the valves in the ballast tanks were opened on October 16, 1982.

We moor our boat to the buoy at the bow of the ship. A glance over the parapet reveals a light current, and the blue of the water is a guarantee of excellent visibility. The briefing is an important part of the dive and is done in detail by the divemaster. We start the dive along a cable that leads from the boat platform to the mooring buoy and eventually to the wreck. Visibility is exceptional. We can see the outline of the ship clearly from the surface of the water and, looking over the parapet, I see a huge shoal of jacks and numerous barracudas. We enter at the bow where the anchor chain hangs down, covered with splendid gorgonians. The strobe light being used to make the film of the dive shows the corals in all the splendour of their true colours.

Close to the bow of the wreck, the depth is 96 feet. The exploration starts on the bow deck and we move on to the first cargo hold. An enormous shoal of grunts almost blocks the way and, totally ignoring the divers, diapers inside the ship. We swim to the superstructure at the center of the huge holds. With a light, I can see the numerous animals hiding in the nooks and crannies. There is a lot of life down here. Many fish hide among the struts, the braces, and the ventilation pipes and the shoal of jacks is still swimming around the deck and the toppled chimney. It is incredible how the ship has been covered in vegetation. The winches on the quarterdeck are beautiful. We intend to get as far as the propellers and the rudder so we leave quarter deck and head for the starboard parapet. There we feel the presence of the light current from which we were sheltered on the other side of the ship and inside the holds. The underside of the rudder and the enormous curved propeller blades are completely covered with flower corals in wonderful shades of orange. We see a long line of big lobsters at the point where the hull disappears into the sand, just a few yards away from the stark outline of the drop-off. Sharks, rays and turtles come in at this point from the open sea to visit the wreck. Other divers told me of a 15 minute encounter they had with a school of spotted dolphins. Swimming toward the bow, we are sheltered from the current by the deck and are able to admire Theo’s Wreck in perfect tranquillity.

Chris Gjersvik, Instructor

I sailed on this vessel as chief mate in late 1979. I always thought she would end up as scrap but am very pleased to see she is still surviving a useful purpose. Happy diving!

David Sheridan

I've dived this wreck more times than I can remember, having a holiday place at Ocean Reef, although it is a long way from the UK. Brilliant dive and excellent as a night dive, which we always do at least twice when we go out there. Huge parrotfish nest in the engine room at night. The colours spring into life at night in a torch beam. The ultimate night dive for me!

Geoff Oldfield

David, can you tell me if Tim Evans was still captain at that time?

Cheryl | 13/11/2008

I dived Theo's Wreck as an open water diver and now I'm advanced and still have fond memories of my first dives.

Kelly | 17/07/2009

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